Broken hand to sideline Yankees' A-Rod

The Yankees' Alex Rodriguez leaves the game after being hit by the pitch from Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Felix Hernandez during the eighth inning Tuesday. (Reuters Photo)

The Yankees added another star to their list of major injuries, as Alex Rodriguez suffered a fractured left hand after being hit by a pitch in the eighth inning Tuesday in New York's 4-2 loss at Seattle.

Rodriguez took an 88 mph changeup from Felix Hernandez off his left hand, dropping him to the ground immediately. Rodriguez was in obvious pain as he clutched his hand, even wincing when a team trainer tried to remove his batting glove.

“It's difficult,” Rodriguez said during a brief interview with reporters after the game. “Tough break.”

The Yankees have already lost Mariano Rivera and Brett Gardner for the entire season, while Andy Pettitte isn't expected to return from a fractured ankle until September. Now Rodriguez is likely out four to six weeks, though the Yankees won't have an exact timetable until he is examined by a team doctor on Thursday in New York.

“We've had to overcome some things so far,” manager Joe Girardi said. “We're just going to have to keep doing what we're doing.”

Eric Chavez figures to see most of the playing time at third base going forward, with Jayson Nix likely playing against left-handers. The Yankees, who acquired Ichiro Suzuki on Monday, also could look outside the organization for help at third base before the trade deadline.

“I'm not sure exactly what we're going to do,” Girardi said after the game. “Chavy will be there (Wednesday), that's what I can give you. We're going to see some left-handers, and we're going to have to figure out what we're going to do.”